Sponge cup



Feb. 8, 1944.

J. A. PETRULLO SPONGE CUP Filed March 50, 1943 awe/WM Jay/v fl. 7 5mm L 0,

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Patented Feb. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ;.-'2,341,2s5 Q I stones our John A. Petrullo, New Yarn N. Y. Application March 30. 1943, Serial No. 481,133

4 Claims.

This invention relates to sponge cups or moistening pads, and an object of the same is to provide a device of this type particularly adapted for use with material having a minimum of capillary action, such as sponge rubber, moistening of the sponge being accomplished primarily by pressing the sponge into the cup or receptacle or by reversing the sponge.

Another object is to improve sponge cupsof the type having a well or reservoir in the bottom thereof for retaining a reserve of water or other moistening fluid, wherein pressure applied during the normal moistening operations will effect .a

depression of the sponge within the well sufficiently to maintain the sponge properly moistened.

A further object is to provide a sponge cup which, due to its particular design, effects a marked economy and savings in sponge material in that there is relatively little scrap left after formation of the sponge.

A further object is to generally improve devices of this type both from a standpoint of manufacture and of use.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent in view of the following description-taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

Figures 1 and 2 are plan views of a sponge cup in accordance with the invention, the sponge being removed in Fig, 2;

Fig. 3, a section on the line 33, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4, an enlarged fragmentary view in sectional elevation of a portion of the cup; and

Fig. 5, a plan view of a modification.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the improved sponge cup comprises a receptacle H) which may be made of plastic, ceramic material, hard rubher or the like. The shape of the cup should however be rectangular, either square, diamondshaped or any other shape having in general a rectangular contour This results in economy in supplying the cups with sponge rubber, due to the fact that the sponge, indicated at II, may be cut from a blank without waste, which is not the case where the cup is, round in contour or has rounded side walls. Since sponge rubber is a factor that contributes materially to the expense of articles of this type, this particular design is of considerable importance.

The bottom of the cup has formed thereon a series of projections or bosses 12 each of which.

is provided with a spur or pin l3. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the projections or bosses I? are arranged and spaced so as to provide a reservoir or well [4 adapted to be filled with water and which flows around the projections or bosses I2 throughout the entire area of the base of the cup.

A sponge cup of the type illustrated herein has a number of advantages. Thus the projections I2 provide a reservoir in the base of the cup of maximum capacity without the necessity of enlarging the base or cutting down the cross sectional dimensions thereof. When a sponge is disposed on these projections, it engages the pins. 13 and the latter embed themselves within the sponge and prevent the sponge from becoming displaced. Not only does the water in the reservoir contact the central portion of the sponge when the latter is depressed, but it also lies beneath and may be caused to contact the entire under-surface of the sponge. Should the sponge lack sufficient moisture, it is only necessary to depress the same, When'the sponge is reversed, the major portion of the reversed surface remains moist. Due to the capacity of the reservoir, considerable time is saved in keeping the sponge moist, and furthermore, this feature avoids the common habit of neglecting to moisten the sponge so that when the time comes to use the same, it is pushed back due to the fact that it has become dry and it is too much trouble,

or there is not enough time available to pour water on the sponge. Furthermore, if the sponge is over any part thereof, it will contact water in the base of the cup, the pins holding the sponge at spaced points around the cup and causing the sponge to stretch and more readily pump water to the moistening surface.

Fig. 5 illustrates a slight modification in design. In this instance the receptacle, indicated at I5, is provided with a series of projections or bosses I6 in the base thereof having thereon pins or studs ll. The essential difference in this instance is that the bosses or projections l6 are arranged inwardly from each corner of the receptacle, leaving the remaining portion of the base of the cup to function as a reservoir, This gives greater capacity although the base of the sponge is not as firmly supported as is the case in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

It will be understood that no attempt has been made herein to enumerate all of the advantages of the improved device, and further that certain limited changes in construction and design can be adopted without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sponge cup comprising a receptacle of rectangular configuration having sponge rubber therein and a bottom wall formed with a series of upwardly projecting bosses on which the sponge rests, said bosses being spaced from one another and also from the central area of the cup, each of said bosses in turn having formed on the upper surface thereof a pointed stud which engages in the sponge material, the spaced bosses holding the sponge elevated above the bottom wall and providing a reservoir for water in the base of the receptacle throughout the entire area of the latter.

2. A sponge cup comprising a rectangular receptacle formed with a plurality of upwardlyprojecting bosses in the base thereof, said bosses being spaced from one another and also from the central area of the receptacle, thus providing a reservoir throughout the entire base of the cup, each of said bosses having projecting upwardly 'therefrom a pointed stud which engages the sponge material and holds the latter against displacement in the receptacle.

3. A sponge cup comprising a receptacle having side walls arranged in rectangular formation, a series of upwardly-projecting bosses in the bottom of the receptacle adapted to support sponge material, said bosses being spaced from one another and also from the central area of the bottom to thereby provide a reservoir throughout the entire base of the cup.

4. A sponge cup comprising a receptacle of rectangular configuration containing sponge material and having a bottom wall provided with a plurality of upwardly-projecting bosses on which the sponge material rests, said bosses being disposed inwardly from and in substantial radial alignment with the corners of the receptacle leaving the central and side areas of the bottom clear to function as a reservoir for water or other moistening fluid.

' JOHN A. PETRULLO. 

